F. GEOGRAPHY. 129 



in Madagascar. According to the report just presented by 

 M. Grandidier to the Academy of Sciences of Paris, Madagas- 

 car comprises two distinct regions the northern, which is 

 mountainous, and that to the south and east, which is flat. 

 lie ascertained that there are five chains of mountains, which 

 have generally the same direction namely, from northeast 

 to southwest. These are separated by sandy and arid plains, 

 intersected by shallow ravines. After crossing the fourth 

 chain a region is reached of which the general level is from 

 1000 to 1200 metres in height, extending to the Indian Ocean, 

 a vast sea of mountains, with no level lands except a few 

 small valleys used for the cultivation of rice. 



The eastern coast is intersected at almost every step with 

 rivers and torrents, and the northwestern provinces pour into 

 the sea a large number of important rivers. On the south- 

 ern and western regions, however, the case is quite different, 

 there being distances of fifty leagues without the smallest 

 brook. The reputation possessed by Madagascar for luxu- 

 riant vegetation and fertile soil, according to M. Grandidier, 

 is by no means merited, its provinces being neither rich nor 

 productive. The secondary plains are sterile, and the popula- 

 tion is confined to the immediate banks of the water-courses. 

 The entire mass of the granitic mountains situated to the 

 west of the eastern slope is naked and arid, and there is no 

 vegetation excepting here and there little bunches growing 

 in the ravines. In the opposite direction, however, there is 

 some degree of fertility ; and there is a line of forests extend- 

 ing from north to south, which connect with those of the 

 west, forming around the island a narrow girdle, including a 

 dry and desert region in its centre. 



M. Grandidier made numerous astronomical, meteorologic- 

 al, and magnetical observations. He also closely studied the 

 ethnology of the inhabitants, having taken a great many 

 measurements upon the living body, and having collected 

 notes of the habits, language, and traditions of the people. 

 His natural history collections embrace over fifty new species 

 of vertebrates, together with numerous insects and plants. 

 Large numbers of alcoholic specimens were also gathered, 

 for the purpose of farther investigation into the anatomy and 

 structure of the entire animal. 3 B, xx., September 14, 1871, 

 603. 



F 2 



